Exodus 32: Lessons on Faith From the Counterfeit Worship of the Golden Calf.

Introduction: In Hebrew, the building of the golden calf is called “ḥēṭ’ ha‘ēggel” or “the sin of the calf”. To some, the golden calf account might seem out of place in the book of Exodus. It falls right in the middle of God’s description to Moses on how to build the Tabernacle. Indeed, most commentary books about the Tabernacle omit the golden calf story as if it were entirely unrelated. But God does everything for a reason. For every good thing that God creates, the devil creates a counterfeit. While the Tabernacle represented God’s perfect system of worship at that time, the golden calf represented mankind’s counterfeit system of worship. The Tabernacle represented a faith-based system of worship. The golden calf represented a “seeing is believing” type of worship that merged God’s Word with the traditions of the world. God recorded the Jews’ mistakes in the wilderness for your instruction (1 Cor. 10:11). From this chapter, God provides seven important lessons to keep your worship holy, faith-based, and focused on Him.

First, true faith requires patience in God’s promises. Second, true faith requires trusting God, even when you cannot see Him. Third, true faith produces the fruit of obedience to God’s Word. Fourth, true faith trusts in God’s compassion and forgiveness. Fifth, true faith produces the fruit of holy conduct. Sixth, true faith trusts in the promise of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Finally, true faith trusts in the Holy Spirit, which brings life and salvation from the curse of the Law.

1. True Faith Requires Patience For God to Fulfill His Promises. Ex. 32:1.

2. True Faith Requires Trusting God, Even When You Cannot See Him. Ex. 32:2-6.

Nicolas Poussin 1593/94 – 1665 The Adoration of the Golden Calf2

3. True Faith Brings Obedience to God’s Word. Ex. 32:7-10.

Jan Havicksz. Steen 1626 – 1679 The Worship of the Golden Calf3

4. True Faith Trusts in God’s Compassion and Forgiveness. Ex. 32:11-14.

5. Truth Faith Produces Holy Conduct. Ex. 32:15-29.

Gustave Doré 1832 – 1883 Moses Showing the Ten Commandments4

Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn 1606 – 1669 Moses Smashing the Tables of the Law5

Cosimo Rosselli 1439 – 1507 Moses and the Tables of the Law6

6. Truth Faith Trusts in the Self-Sacrifice of the Messiah. Ex. 32:30-32.

7. Truth Faith Trusts in the Spirit Which Saves From the Curse Under the Law. Ex. 32:33-35.